Jones confident Biggar will shine

Wales captain
Ryan Jones is confident Ospreys team-mate Dan Biggar will rise to the occasion after being handed the Wales number 10 jersey for Saturday’s final Test against New Zealand.

The 20-year-old fly-half got the nod ahead of veteran Stephen Jones who is nursing a thumb injury but was always destined to be on the bench this weekend in Hamilton regardless.

Dan Biggar

“He’s a great kid. He’s got a fantastic attitude as well for a young kid. He knows he’s got the talent and he believes in that ability too, which is what you need in your 10,” skipper Jones said. “He’s also got a great understanding of the game and a fantastic passion for it too. I think he believes, and so do I, that he was always destined for an opportunity like this. I think he’ll do well at the weekend.”

Coach Warren Gatland said it had always been the intention to start the young fly-half this weekend – even before Stephen Jones was injured.

“We’d said before the start of the tour that Dan was going to play one of the games whether it was the first Test or second Test because we think it’s important for his own development.

“He’s a young kid with a lot of talent, a lot of potential and a lot of leadership qualities,” the New Zealander said.

“He’s had a few caps against some of the minor unions. He’s come off the bench a couple of times so to test himself against the All Blacks is great. It’s a great chance for him.”

Biggar is undaunted about the prospect of taking on superstar Dan Carter , who scored 27 points against Wales in last weekends’ 42-9 drubbing in Carisbrook.

“He’s not a bad player is he,” Biggar replied when asked what he thought of his opposite number. “I’m sure he doesn’t need me to tell him how good he is. He’s coming back to his best now after maybe a little bit of a lull last year.

“He’s not a bad player to test yourself against. But, with all due respect to him, it won’t be a daunting prospect for me coming up against him. It’s something that I’ll really look to enjoy. You want to test yourself against the best because that’s what you play the game for. I’m very excited.”